SolidWorks® 2011 Parts Bible

CHAPTER 18

Using Layers, Line Fonts, and Colors

IN THIS CHAPTER

Using layers

Specifying line format settings

Hiding edges in drawing views

Using drawing display tools tutorial

AutoCAD has left its mark on CAD users of all kinds in the form of the default expectations users have about CAD software. A few common expectations are that layers, the Command Line, and paper space/model space need to exist in order for graphical software to be considered CAD, and printing should be really difficult.

When former AutoCAD users make the switch to SolidWorks, the questions start: Where is the Command Line? How do I put parts on layers? How do I change the background color to black? And my personal favorite, Where is the zero-radius trim?

This chapter addresses AutoCAD-like functions in the SolidWorks drawing environment. The goal is not to make the functions look or work or compare in any way to AutoCAD, but to simply make them useful in the context of the SolidWorks software. It is never productive to try to use SolidWorks as if it were AutoCAD. If you are making the transition, you will be much further ahead if you just embrace SolidWorks for what it is, and accept that it does not work like AutoCAD. You will be even further ahead if you do not assume that AutoCAD functionality is universal.

Controlling Layers

Layers are only available in SolidWorks drawing documents, not in 3D modeling ...